Summary

Tom Cruise’s personal life and controversial beliefs have not affected his box office success, as his films continue to be highly popular and successful. Despite the criticism and controversies surrounding him, audiences are still drawn to Tom Cruise’s on-screen charisma and his commitment to delivering exceptional performances. As long as Tom Cruise continues to entertain and make audiences happy, his personal life and actions seem to be overlooked, suggesting that he will only be canceled if he commits a truly heinous crime.

There are many actors who have been “canceled” for a variety of reasons that many people see as unforgivable. They cheat on partners, make abhorrent statements, or engage in reprehensible crimes. However, not everyone is subject to these rules. We are a society that very much wants to see people go through the wringer. When they do and apologize, we forgive.

However, some never need to forgive before they forget. A perfect example is Tom Cruise.

Let’s Run the Numbers
Paramount Pictures

Tom Cruise is not a celebrity that needs an explanation. He has been a box-office draw since day one, and his influence has only become stronger. Screencrush pointed out that he has had a #1 movie for each of the last five decades. It is not a coincidence that he makes excellent career choices and has come to understand exactly where to put his talents.

Related: Will Tom Cruise Ever Win an Oscar?

Cruise is one of the top ten biggest draws to both the domestic and international box office, and he has produced some of the highest-grossing films of the past two decades. His work in the Mission: Impossible series, both behind and in front of the camera, has brought audiences in droves to see what his next stunt will be.

Studios have never seen him as a risk, and even if they did, he is happy to produce and bankroll his own projects. The man has pull, he has clout, and he is unafraid to use them to bring audiences exactly what they want.

A History of Questionable Behavior
Paramount Pictures 

The issue with Tom Cruise is his personal life. Now, for many people, this would not be a problem. Their lives are their own and should not be judged. However, when you are in the public eye at the level he is, you will be judged, and your statements and actions hold weight.

Cruise is well known as the top Scientologist, an organization that has come under fire for a number of reasons. Their methods, leadership, and treatment of members have been infamous, and Cruise has been their poster boy. He has been vocal about his beliefs and seems unaffected by the allegations put forth against Scientology.

This came to a head in 2005 when Cruise was interviewed by the now-disgraced Matt Lauer. Lauer pressed Cruise about his thoughts when it came to mental health and medications. He had spoken publicly about actor Brooke Shields and how he saw her use of antidepressants as “irresponsible.” The interview was a complete flameout for the actor, bringing his personality and beliefs into question.

He was also criticized for his treatment of Nicole Kidman following their divorce and his subsequent marriage to Katie Holmes in 2006. During this time, he displayed erratic behavior, and when their marriage ended in 2012, Holmes stated that she wished to protect their daughter as she saw Cruise’s Scientological views as problematic.

All of these issues and other scattered incidents should have left people soured to the actor. Many others have been canceled or simply left to rot for less. But Cruise has a secret weapon that nobody has ever doubted: He’s Tom Frikkin’ Cruise.

Cruise Saves Entertainment
Paramount Pictures

Here’s the thing. Tom Cruise is a dynamo. When he’s on screen, he gives every ounce of himself to audiences. He is willing to go above and beyond to protect his team and even drive a motorcycle off a cliff five times to get the shot right without a safety net. He’s nuts, and people love him for it.

When Top Gun: Maverick, the sequel to 1986’s smash Top Gun, was released in 2022, it was seen as the film that brought people back to the theaters. It made a staggering $1.5 Billion and has been described as even better than the original. The first film was seen as fun and a definite recruitment tool for the Air Force. The sequel was just as in-your-face, but Cruise knew to include newer, younger actors who could help him bring in a new generation of viewers.

In 2023, Cruise returned to the Mission: Impossible franchise with Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. It has already brought in $500 million in its second week and has yet to conquer the international box office. Although this film is part one of two, Cruise has already stated that he will continue with the franchise until he’s no longer allowed to. It provides him with creative control, box office gold (for the most part), and an outlet for his adrenaline addiction.

Related: Tom Cruise Wants to Continue Mission: Impossible, But Can (and Should) He?

These films are undeniably fun to watch, and Cruise is the obvious draw. Studios see it, other actors see it, and audiences cannot get enough. These two films have proven that we do not care about what the actor does in his personal life. We may talk about it, laugh about it, or read stories about it, but for some reason, we have collectively allowed a live-and-let-live scenario.

At this point, Tom Cruise will only be truly canceled if he perpetrates a truly heinous crime. Audiences have proven that as long as he can make them happy, he is free to be himself and essentially live his life as he sees fit. So we’ll let him yell, rant, and rave. The fact is that he does what we want him to do. He entertains us. And what more do audiences want these days?

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning is in theaters now.